The 2023 Women In Sports Association (WISA) Achievers Awards reached some male boxing coaches like Dr. Coach Ofori Asare, head coach of the national teams, the Black Bomber and Black Hitters, Coach Vincent Akai Nettey of Attoh Quarshie Gym and Coach Elvis Robertson of Akotoku Academy Boxing Gym.

Two female boxers, Trudy Manteaw of the Ghana Armed Forces and Leticia Naa Amanua Ankrah of the Akotoku Academy Gym were named in the list of 32 distinguished sports personalities and clubs.

Coach Akai Nettey said hard work pays and the award is going to inspire him to scout and groom more female boxers.

He noted that the national female boxing team is not all that strong and they need to beef up with more aggressive and stronger girls.

Leticia Ankrah, a professional bantamweight boxer thanked the organisers of the Awards and promised to work hard to bring a world title to Ghana.

Trudy Manteaw said corporate Ghana must get involve seriously with sports investment and partnership as the talents are there in abundance but they need financial support and technical training to sharpen up.

She also thanked WISA and Ghandour Cosmetics for honouring the best female athletes in the country.

Other female boxers who have received the WISA Award in the past are Ornella Sathoud, Sarah Apew, Faruzia Osman and Ramatu Quaye.

Coach Dr. Asare who also received his latest award and citation promised to take Ghana to the next Olympic Games in Paris 2024. He expressed that all hope is not lost as there are two world opportunities and believes boxers like Takyi, Tetteh, Commey, Wahid and Allotey can make it if they are motivated.

He thanked WISA President Madam Commodore for the reward which signifies that he is doing something good, better and best.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Reverend E. D. Nikoi, President of the Ghana Netball Association has appealed to corporate Ghana to support the Ghana Netball team as they prepare for international championships and the African Games.

Speaking at the 9^th Women In Sports Association Achievers Awards last Saturday at the Media Center of the Accra Sports Stadium, he said “My dream is to make Ghana Netball one of the best in the world. Our goal is to be among the best five in Africa and among the best 10 in the world” he expressed.

He urged sports journalists not to look at only football and leave other sports like netball.

Rev. Nikoi who is a Board Member of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) commended the management of WISA and Ghandour Cosmetics for supporting women and girls who are doing well in sports.

He was supported at the Awards Ceremony by the GBC Netball team, which is the first team to be formed in Ghana.

Other staff of GBC at the Sports Department (GTV Sports Plus were also honoured.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ace Nigerian cyclist John Gabriel is the, New King of the Mountain Race Champion.

He beat his Ghanaian counterparts in a tough and tight race which took place on the Kwahu Mountains.

The event was organized on Saturday, September 23 by the Ghana Cycling Federation in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority.

John Gabriel said he was happy to win and loved the challenge and competition from the Ghanaian cyclists.

He commended the Ghana Cycling Federation for the great organization which attracted over 50 cyclists.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

32 personalities and sports clubs honoured at 9th Ghandour WISA Achievers Awards Ceremony

32 distinguished sports personalities, gyms and teams were recognized and rewarded by the Women In Sports Association (WISA) and Ghandour Cosmetics for their excellence and distinguished service to sports in Ghana.

The event took place last Saturday, September 23 at the Media Center of the Accra Sports Stadium.

The winners included Para athletes who represented Ghana at the African Para Games. They were very happy and looked good with their make-up ups for the occasion.

Others who were rewarded were Table Tennis players, Boxers, Judoka, sports journalists, TV producers and sports clubs / teams.

All the winners thanked WISA for the achievers recognition and honor.

WISA President, Madam Gloria Commodore, a veteran sports journalist and former athlete said she and her networks have been monitoring the athletes and know those who are performing.

She said the Awards is to encourage female athletes to perform better for mother Ghana.

She thanked the Ghandour Cosmetics, Ghana Olympic Committee, National Sports Authority, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and her executive for their contributions towards the 9th awards.

Miss Cassandra Sae- Mensah, Trade Marketing / PR Executive of Ghandour Cosmetics commended the WISA, the winners and urged them to be the best always and use best quality products.

The event was well attended in spite of early showers.

Full list of 2023 WISA Awards Winners:

Ghana Fencing Female Team

Black Princeses - Girls Football Team Ghana

Sea Lions Football Club - Elmina, Central Region

Vida Juliet Vivie - Director/Founder, Vida Cycling Programme

Augustina Ameworlor - 12 Year Old Grass Track Cycling

Matilda Quayson - Producer/Social Media Manager GTV Sports+

Justina Owusua Kwabi - Senior Operations Officer (Technical Division) GBC

Zinabu Issah - Para-Athlete / Wheelchair Tennis Player

Patricia Nyamekye - Para Powerlifting Athlete

Amdiatu Issaka - National Para-Athlete/Wheelchair Basketball Player

Stacey Konadu Mensah - Para-Athlete/Wheelchair Tennis Player

Bridget Nartey - Para-Athlete/Wheelchair Basketball And Tennis Player

Fatima Moro - Para-Athlete/Wheelchair Lawn Tennis And Wheelchair Basketball

Rosalind Koramah Amoh - Sports Journalist/Deputy Director News, Daily Graphic

Rachel Ankomah - Rugby League Club

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC)

Christine Naa Merley Ashley - National Sports Authority (NSA)

Winnifred Ntumi - Weightlifting Ghana

Augustina Baidoo - Ghana Table Tennis Player-Army

Bernice Borquaye - Ghana Table Tennis Player-Navy

Anita Wiredu-Minta - Ghana Immigration Service (Gis) Sports Unit

Trudy Mantheaw - Ghana Army, Boxing

Wisdom Boxing Club - Coach Ofori Asare (Coach)

Attoh Quarshie Boxing Club - Vincent Akai Nettey (Coach)

Evelyn Enyonam Dzato - Judo, Accra Girls SHS / Ghana.

Mary Dodoo - Goalkeeper, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Handball Team

Leticia Amanua Ankrah - Akotoku Boxing Academy.

Male Awardees

Coach Yussif Basigi - Coach, Black Princesses Team

Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe - Three Times Paralympian For Ghana.

Mr. Olla Williams - CEO Of One On One Foundation / Dreamland Sports Plus.

Rev. Emmanuel Djani Nikoi - President, Ghana Netball Federation.

Coach Dr. Ofori Asare - National Boxing Coach

Source WISA

By Sammy Heywood Okine

His Excellency Dr. Abu Zein, Senior Deputy Chair of the International Human Rights Commission and The Ambassador at Large, Africa Region has expressed the Commission's worries  and strongly feel the need to address the issue of government of Ghana's recent limiting of freedom of speech in protests enshrined in the fibre of democracy.

It is a matter of great concern for the principles of democracy and human rights.

When individuals are denied their right to express their opinions or assemble peacefully to demonstrate a call of their collective or individual rights as permitted by the same constitutional provisions, it hampers progress and undermines the voice of the people which is equally useful for stock taking processes in line with all acts that builds a nation.

As Ambassadors championing, promoting and sensitising societies on human rights issues, it is our duty to shine light on these injustices and work towards creating a society where freedom of speech is valued and protected.

Let us unite, raise our voices, and fight for the rights of all individuals whose rights are trampled cheaply upon without clear reasons.

In an interview with some media houses who paid a courtesy call on him as follow up on IHRC' Africa's 21st September Zoom Conference on theme: "ANALYSING THE IMPACT OF THE RESURGENCE OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL COUPS ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE IN AFRICA" he urged all stakeholders and research fellows  to keep educating and working for peace through a clearer focus on pursuing justice delivery at all cost and levels.

IHRC Communications

GCF and Ghana Tourism get set for ‘King of the Mountain’ Race

The Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) continues its exciting program with a trip to Kwahu in the Eastern region for the King of the Mountain Race on Saturday, September 23.

The Federation hired an STC bus to transport all cyclists and officials from Accra to venue for the race.

Since getting recognized by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) at the last Awards ceremony, the GCF has not looked back with the energetic Shabaan Mohammed, the Secretary General directing affairs on the roads.

The King of the Mountain is a different ball game that will see the best riders who can move fast on the hills.

According to Mr. Dennis Moore, PRO of the Ghana Cycling Federation the one day race in collaboration with Ghana Tourism on the Kwahu Mountains.

He said over 50 riders are climbing the mountain for the ultimate ‘KING OF THE MOUNTAIN’ champion.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Joseph Zubil of Team Epic won this year’s Elite Men criterium in the 3rd Edition of the Osagyefo Race at the Accra Sports stadium over a heated circuit of 129.5km in a grueling 25 laps pinning down an average speed of 38.93km/hr to edge out of Nigerian sprinter Abdul Malik Yusif Alhassan of Team Subsea in a time of 3:19:35.

Zubil took home a medal and a cash prize of Gh15,000, while Abdul Malik Yusif Alhassan took home Gh7000 with Gladiators finisher Nuru Pardie Alhassan taking home a cool Gh5000 for the third position.

In the female category over 77.7km over 15laps registering an average speed of 32.54km/hr Nigerian Ese Okpeseraye finishing in a time of 2:15:17: to secure the first place while Mary Samuel took second position in 2:23:55 and Treasure Coxson was third in 2:23:55.

Oldest Cyclist, Annan Adams managed to pick up the pieces, finishing with the young blooded boys in a time of 3:19:48 to a cool cash of Gh1000.

This year’s event was sponsored by Gladiators cycling club in collaboration with the Ghana Cycling Federation, Dalex, DHL, Oswal Investment Ltd, and supported by Voltic, Kaz, GBB, PayAll, Alisa Hotel, Cycle City, Kowri, 787 and Gladiators.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

WBO Africa Featherweight Champion has commended top musician and businessman, Mr. Eazi for renovating the Bronx Boxing Gym at James Town.

After a classic sparring session with WBO Lightweight Champion, Sheriff Quaye at the opening of the re-designed Bronx Gym, he told journalists “I am going to be the next big thing in Ghana Boxing, I know my coach Lawrence Carl Lokko has done it before with Richard Commey to win a world title and I know I will follow in line”.

John Abaja Laryea aka ‘The Expensive Boxer’ who is managed by Mr. Sammy Anim Addo of the Baby Jet Foundation will defend his WBO Africa title in October at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

He does not know his opponent but he is very sure of victory having beaten tough opponents like Sabestian of Namibia who held the title and Samuel Martey whom he defeated on his birthday.

John Laryea commended his colleagues at the Bronx Gym who have worked hard to become champions like West Africa Champion Jonathan Laryea, National Champions Felix Ajom, Daniel Gosh and Jacob Dickson and rising stars like John Zile, Emmanuel Quartey, Felix Nunoo, Daniel Quaye and Stephen Coffie.

Bronx Gym is known as the ‘Home of Champions’ and their refurbished facility will enable them to train hard for more successes.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

In a heartwarming moment for West Ham United, their new signing, Mohammed Kudus, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from the club's dedicated fanbase.

Making his mark on the European stage, Kudus showcased his prowess in his full debut against FK TSC Bačka Topola in the Europa League.

The Serbian team gained the lead in the 47th minute as Petar Stanic took advantage of a defensive blunder to break through and give them the edge while the Hammers controlled possession throughout.

After Kudus forced an own goal from Nemanja Petrovic, the Hammers recovered, and with 20 minutes left, he added a goal that was unquestionably his by converting James Ward-Prowse's corner.

Tomáš Souček added the third goal in the 82nd minute.

"The support was incredible from the fans. Even when we were down they kept motivating the team and supporting us," he said.

"It means a lot to me and I’ll keep doing my best like you saw today for the team. That’s what I’m here to do," he added.

footballGhana

Nii Botwe Laryea II, the Dzase Tse of Nungua has called on the youth of Ghana to use their time and energies to something profitable and developmental that would benefit them and the nation as a whole.

Delivering a message on Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Day 2023 on Thursday, September 21, he said the population keeps on increasing and many young people are not getting anything to do, so the government must try to make the youth happy by getting jobs for them, to bring down or stop arm robberies and other social vices.

He said those in sports must be serious so that sports can take than to bigger and better places.

The former footballer who is also chief of Kotobabi in Accra expressed that in the past Ghana was the best in football, but things have changed for the worse and urged the Ghana Football Association to try to let a local star like Michael Essien to lead the Black Stars technically.

Nii Laryea, who is the CEO of Kpoo Keke, one of the best drinks in the nation for celebrations, which is used especially during festivals said Ghanaians must patronized made in Ghana products to raise the economy.

He congratulated both the NPP and NDC governments for trying to develop the nation.

According to him, Ghana is a great nation with great and beautiful people, so the citizens should cherish good things.

He advised the GFA to go for a local coach next time for the Black Stars to save foreign exchange and give opportunity to old footballers to showcase their skills and talents in coaching.

He urged other sports people like boxers and track and field athletes not to lose hope, but keep on training as better results will definitely come.

"The future is always bright, if we have good and positive minds" he added.

By Sammy Heywood Okine